 By Richard Strittmatter, American Littoral Society Delaware Bay R-Corps
Construction of a new rain garden is currently underway at the Compass Academy Charter School in Vineland, NJ. The project area used to be a stormwater basin. But now, it will be the largest rain garden the American Littoral Society will oversee to date. Plans for demolition, backfilling, planting, and landscaping were developed in conjunction with the Association of New Jersey Environmental Conditions (ANJEC, a non-profit organization that helps New Jersey environmental commissions, individuals, local and state agencies preserve natural resources and promote healthy communities. After several days of hard work, the site was cleared of wild vegetation and filled with topsoil and mulch. Most of the remaining work will be to fill the rain garden with native plants.  By Stella Mueller, American Littoral Society Education Program Intern Throughout the summer, the American Littoral Society hosted four sunset seining and two daytime seining events on Sandy Hook. We reached over 80 individual participants and caught more than 20 different local species of marine life! Following is a list of our top five favorite finds from this summer and some fun facts about them:  1. Lookdown Fish (Selene vomer)
Although the lookdown seems to resemble a tropical fish, it is native to the entire Atlantic coast and the Gulf of Mexico. They are most commonly found south of Delaware in slightly warmer waters, but it’s not unusual for us to have found a juvenile lookdown on the coast of Sandy Hook during the summer, when warmer waters reach our region. Their prime habitat is within estuaries, where saltwater and freshwater mix, as well as short depths along the shoreline. Juvenile lookdowns tend to have thin, vertical stripes that disappear with age. Lookdown fish get their name based on the fact that their eyes are located on either side of their narrow frame and appear to “look down” as they swim.  By Stella Mueller, Littoral Society Education Program Intern
The American Littoral Society Fish Tagging program recently joined the Reel Into Fishing program in Avalon, NJ for an exciting day of fishing and fluke tagging! The Reel Into Fishing program is a 3-day free educational program teaching students in grades 5-10 about safe fishing tactics and conserving local marine habitats. The program works in partnership with the International Gamefish Association and Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Ocean and Burlington Counties. Our tagging program was asked to speak during the first day of the program, where we detailed our organization’s mission and the importance of tagging local species. We also joined their fishing excursion on the final day of the program, where we demonstrated to students how to tag the fish they caught.  By Stella Mueller, American Littoral Society Education Program Intern
Many may not know it, but just off New Jersey's sandy beaches are a host magnificent marine creatures. It's never been easier for you to see them in their natural habitat! Thanks to a partnership between the American Littoral Society and Seastreak, a ferry service that carries people from New Jersey to Manhattan on a daily basis, anyone can now embark on an adventure to witness whales, dolphins, seals and other wildlife in the waters around Sandy Hook, NJ and the New York/New Jersey Bight. The Bight is a triangular region of ocean between New Jersey and New York, stretching from Atlantic City, NJ, to Montauk, NY, with New York City at its center. This area is more than just a scenic coastal expanse — it is a pristine ecosystem and an important habitat for countless marine species. Despite being adjacent to one of the largest ports in the world, the bight serves as a breeding and feeding ground, as well as a common migration path, for various species of birds, fish, dolphins, and, of course, whales. Every year, during the third week of September, we celebrate National Estuaries Week—a time dedicated to raising awareness about the critical role estuaries play in our environment and our lives.
Typically, this week is marked by activities designed to raise awareness about the importance of estuaries, while also calling attention to the threats many face. The American Littoral Society will recognize National Estuaries Week this year with events in New York and New Jersey that include the kick-off for our New York State Beach Cleanup (NYSBC) season and Littorally Local Sunset Cruise. What are Estuaries? So, what are estuaries and why are they important? These unique, vibrant ecosystems are where fresh and salt water mingle or, in other words, where rivers meet the sea. These transitional zones —which include coastal bays, inlets, and tidal rivers — are not only home to beautiful landscapes but also serve as nurseries for marine life, protection for shorelines, and drivers of local economies. Because of their position between land and ocean, estuaries serve as key buffers, absorbing excess water from storms and reducing the impact of coastal erosion. At the same time, they act as natural filters, improving water quality by trapping pollutants and sediments before they reach open waters.  Coastal flooding in Ocean City, NJ. Coastal flooding is a growing problem in New Jersey as climate change impacts the state through sea level rise, more frequent storms, and vulnerable sprawling development.
The NJ Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) recently proposed rules for Protecting Against Climate Threats through Resilient Environments and Landscapes (NJPACT REAL). These rules, which are designed to protect people and places along the coast, lay out a plan to use nature-based solutions that will help protect communities. Unfortunately, they are facing pushback from developers and builders who are prioritizing short-term profits over long-term sustainability. Recently, the American Littoral Society and Watershed Institute held advocacy webinars focused on what NJ's REAL Rules actually say. The Littoral Society’s video also offered guidance on the basics of advocacy and best practices for engaging with government officials, so citizens can effectively participate in upcoming opportunities to comment on the rules. You can watch the webinars at the following links:
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